By Dena Wood
The Times
Artist Trust is Wowed by Waitsburg
Group from Port Townsend was formed to encourage artists throughout Washington
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Courtesy Photo Artist Trust board members and artists gathered at Squire Broel's studio for an Open Salon during the board's annual retreat. The board had visited Waitsburg the night before and expressed appreciation and support for the growing art scene in Waitsburg. Left to right (back row): Gar LaSalle, Mark Haley, Len Lewicki, Bryan Webster, Chris Abrass, Lorraine Vagner, Keiko Hara, Zabrina Jenkins, Squire Broel, Bob Tull, Susan Wagner, Greg Bell, Michael Casteel, Michael Lane. (front row): Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Shannon Halberstadt, Nancy Chang, Allison Eltrich.
WAITSBURG – Board members of Artist Trust, based in Port Townsend, Wash., recently held a weekend retreat in Walla Walla, and were impressed with the burgeoning art scene they witnessed during an evening spent in Waitsburg.
Artist Trust is a nonprofit group with the mission of supporting and encouraging artists working in all disciplines in order to enrich community life throughout Washington State. They accomplish that goal by offering grants, serving as a professional information resource for artists, and providing recognition and support for the contributions artists make to the lives of Washington citizens. The Trust goes beyond support of visual arts and includes music, dance and theater.
Waitsburg resident and former Artist Trust board member Karen Gregutt invited board members to Waitsburg on April 15, for an evening of wine tasting by her husband, winemaker Paul Gregutt, and a tour of downtown Waitsburg.
On the walking tour, Gregutt said she shared about the buildings that owners have invested in restoring, business percolation, the Main Street sculptures, the black and white former Anchor Bar building, the new Waitsburg Windows of Art project, the beauty of the downtown buildings and architecture, and the historic elements of the city.
"They were over the moon! It's an honor that they were so supportive," Gregutt said. "Waitsburg has not been able to participate in this type of thing before, but now that many artists are gathering in town we are getting looked at with admiration and respect."
On April 16, Walla Walla artist Squire Broel hosted an Open Salon for the board members. Broel, who is the sculptor of the bronze "Founding Fathers – The Waitsburg Monument" that stands in front of Waitsburg Town Hall, spoke to the board about the impact that art and creativity can have on rural communities.
Gregutt said the board commented specifically about their visit to Waitsburg during the Salon and that they "couldn't have been more embracing."
"Economically, when artists find a community, they are oftentimes the first to get behind bringing new life and keeping what is historic to the area. Waitsburg is getting a lot of attention that way right now," she said.
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